Thursday, 10 January 2013

2012 Volvo S60 Polestar Concept

The Volvo S60 Polestar Concept has graced the pages of Autoblog numerous times in recent memory, but we've never actually seen it in person. That is, until now.

We caught up with the blazing blue sedan sitting on the floor of the LA Auto Show, and it looks even better up close. As a refresher, the four-door is fitted with a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine (3.0-liter) generating an impressive 508 horsepower. Its close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox sends power to all four wheels through a fourth-generation Haldex XWD system. With a decent driver behind the steering wheel, the Polestar can crack the 60 mph benchmark in about 3.7 seconds as it rushes towards a top speed in excess of 186 mph.

2012 Volvo S60 Polestar Concept

2012 Volvo S60 Polestar Concept

2012 Volvo S60 Polestar Concept

2012 Volvo S60 Polestar Concept

2012 Volvo S60 Polestar Concept

2012 Volvo S60 Polestar Concept

Volvo has said that this Polestar-modified S60 was built for a specific client who paid upwards of $300,000 for the pleasure of owning it. But as they say, if there is market demand for more...

Polestar presents Volvo S60 Polestar performance concept

Volvo Cars Official Motorsport and Performance partner Polestar present the Volvo S60 Polestar, a performance concept car developed with the aim of satisfying the performance minded driver.

(16-06-2012) -- "We are proud to present Polestar's interpretation of the Volvo S60" says Christian Dahl, founder and CEO of Polestar. "It's a car developed with our own preferences in mind which, we from experience know, are shared by a group of active drivers"

The main focus when developing the car has been to combine a comfortable genuine Volvo driving experience with a high level of power and handling. The Volvo T6 engine has been tuned to deliver a considerable increase in power and torque. This, in combination with a lowered, widened and reinforced chassis together with a tuned Haldex all-wheel drive system and Öhlins suspension makes the car suitable for both high performance driving and long distance travelling.

Robert Dahlgren, Volvo Polestar racing driver, comments the driving experience: "to me the Volvo S60 is a very well sorted car from start. In our concept car we have developed chassis, engine and transmission just like we want it, and the result is a huge leap forward in terms of handling and performance. It is, by far, the most impressive street Volvo I've ever driven. But I must also say that the genuine Volvo feeling is still there.

The car presented at Gothenburg CityArena is the first car built for one specific client. A small series of Polestar modified S60s may be built pending market response;

"Polestar's heart and soul is motorsport and our main focus is to deliver the absolute best results for Volvo on the track" say's Christian Dahl. "But over the years we have also seen a significant increase in demand for Volvo performance cars and parts and naturally we want to respond to this."